Local News

Heybridge Regatta celebrates 155th year

Boat races, a barbecue, stalls and games will offer something for everyone at this year’s Heybridge Regatta.

Get down to Heybridge Basin on Saturday and Sunday for the two day festival.

It begins with a quiz night at 8pm tomorrow in the marquee between The Old Ship on Lock Hill and The Jolly Sailor in Basin Road. Costs £2 per person, maximum of six per team.

Bar service provided by The Old Ship.

On Saturday, the barbecue will be lit early at 8am and there will be events in the marquee from 9.30am including stalls selling food, crafts, jewellery and books.

Competitions will be held for cakes, colouring, art, photography, name the pirate, and new this year, for scarecrows and vegetable men.On the water, the rowing races will start after high water at 1.18pm.

Rowers, dinghies, modern yachts and smacks will compete in a series of races on the River Blackwater.

At 12.15pm children can take part in a crabbing competition at the lock gates, from 4pm there will be a flour battle, raft race and pillow fight in the lock, and live music with Set in Stone in the marquee from 4.30pm.

Children’s prize giving will be at 4pm and the main prize giving at 7pm.

On Sunday there will be a village market and family fun from 10am to 2pm.

The children’s scavenger hunt starts at 10am, and there will again be stalls, a barbecue from 11.30am, and live music from Argy Bargy Children’s entertainer Nicky Trix will be in the marquee at 11.30am.

Buy a programme from The Lock Tea Rooms, The Jolly Sailor and The Old Ship.